News

July 6th 2018

Employers go ‘behind the wire’ in Nottingham

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Employers being given a safety briefing before entering the RODET

More than 70 employers from counties across the East Midlands got a chance to go behind the wire at Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham yesterday to hear about today’s Army, regulars and reserves and to experience some of the training they undertake.

During the event that took place on 5 July, employers from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire visited four different military themed stands at the Mission Training and Mobilisation Centre (MTMC) designed to give them a brief taste of the training soldiers undergo before deployment.

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One of the employers trying on the Army’s kit

Attendees also had a chance to get ‘hands on’ with the indoor electronic shooting range; handle various pieces of military kit and weapons; visit a battlefield casualty drill area where those who had previously undergone the training demonstrated how they may be needed to use their medical skills in a battlefield scenario; have a go in the RODET (Roll Over Dismount Egress Trainer) which is used to teach personnel how to escape from vehicles that are turned over on difficult terrain and finally learn about how the Army search for improvised explosive devices.

Invitations to the event were extended to organisations that have engaged with Defence through the Armed Forces Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme Award and to those who have demonstrated an interest in learning more about the training reservists undertake and how these transferable skills and attributes could be of benefit to their business.

John Wilson, the MOD’s Regional Employer Engagement Director in the East Midlands, said: “I’m delighted that we were able to provide such a large group of employers, who support the Armed Forces community, with the opportunity of this informative hands-on visit; this is a rare opportunity and I’m pleased that we have received such positive feedback from many of those who attended.”

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Employers being taught about how the Army clear land mines

Watch Manager Steve Smith from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue took part in the event. He explained: “The Armed Forces and emergency services work together regularly so it was important for me to attend to learn more about the Army Reserve. The Fire service is supportive of releasing people for training and operations and have found in the past that there are sometimes opportunities for collaborative training.

“Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is a Silver Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme  Award holder. I’ve really enjoyed the event at MTMC it’s been brilliant as it has given me a further insight into the Army Reserve. Many people may think they know what the Army does but much like the Fire Service there are lots of different elements to it so today has allowed me to increase my personal knowledge.”

Councillor Kevin Miller from Erewash Borough Council also attended the event. He said: “I’ve enjoyed engaging with Army representatives at the event. I’ve been able to learn more about the Army Reserve generally and how they train their people.”

"The Armed Forces and emergency services work together regularly so it was important for me to attend to learn more about the Army Reserve. The Fire service is supportive of releasing people for training and operations and have found in the past that there are sometimes opportunities for collaborative training."